Apparatus, system, and method for inclined seating neck support

ABSTRACT

Provided for is a pillow comprising a pillow case, where the pillow case may include a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, a first cavity, a second cavity, and a divider. The first cavity may be bounded by at least the front side, the rear side, the top side, and the divider, and the second cavity may be bounded by at least the front side, the rear side, the bottom side, and the divider. The pillow may also include a neck support configured to accept the natural curvature of a user&#39;s neck

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to pillows for neck support and, more particularly, to neck support pillows for use with inclined seating.

INTRODUCTION

Sleep is a vital component of an individual's health. Proper sleep allows an individual's body to repair, replenish, and be ready for the next day. Inadequate sleep may lead to increased stress, decreased productivity, and a number of health issues. Thus, it is imperative that individuals experience meaningful uninterrupted sleep.

Further, for many, the bed and the bedroom have become places where individuals engage in multiple activities. For example, individuals may read books, play video games, watch television, and use laptop computers all from the confines and comfort of their bed. However, traditional beds and pillows are not conducive for many of these activities.

While adjustable beds may enable an individual to better adjust their body, often this leaves the neck, head, and shoulders in compromised positions. In such situations, these body parts may be left without natural support. This may cause one to develop crane, “texting,” or military neck. The act of leaning forward on an adjustable bed may cause muscle tension, neck strain, and pinched nerves, which can ultimately lead to a herniated disc. Over an extended period of time, it may also cause a straightening of the cervical spine, which may cause chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain.

Individuals that hold such positions for extended periods of time may find their posture worsening. Further, such positions may create unnatural curves, flattening inversions in the neck. Effectively, as an individual's head leans forward, the neck feels an increase strain as the head is pulled downward.

There exist a number of pillows that claim to support the neck and head, however many of these pillows are not suitable for all positions in bed. For example, a memory foam neck pillow may provide support on a flat bed, but will not offer the same support and comfort when the bed is inclined. Effectively, although these pillows may provide neck contour while the individual is flat, when inclined, the head is still propped up in an unnatural position. Again, such unnatural positions cause neck, shoulder, and back strain.

Typical memory foam pillows may have too much fill to give the correct support to the head at these positions. Such an arrangement would require the user to remove a significant amount of fill to prevent the propped up neck position. If a pillow is adjustable for fill, it is often cumbersome to remove the fill from pillows in order to achieve the necessary head support at these positions.

Additionally, orthopedic neck support pillows often exclusively feature a firm material, which is designed to over-support the neck. This style of pillow, although providing contour, fails to support the neck area when the body is in the reclined position.

Furthermore, many orthopedic pillows are configured to correct preexisting neck conditions. In doing so, these orthopedic pillows may impose dangerous and unnecessary strain on the necks of average individuals. In effect, the angle imposed on the neck by “correcting” pillows is too severe for casual use or for “preserving” the curvature of the neck.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved pillow that could overcome the aforementioned issues. It would further be desirable to have an improved pillow that allows the head and neck to be aligned and to have proper support, without compromising on comfort, at any adjustable seating position whether sitting upright, at an angle, or in a flat position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention of the present disclosure may be a pillow comprising a pillow case. The pillow case may comprise a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, a first cavity, a second cavity, and a divider, where the first cavity is bounded by at least the front side, the rear side, the top side, and the divider, and where the second cavity is bounded by at least the front side, the rear side, the bottom side, and the divider. The pillow may also include a neck support configured to accept the curvature of a user's neck.

In an embodiment, the neck support includes a first wall, a second wall, a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, where the front surface has a front slope, and where the rear surface has a rear slope. The neck support may also include a trough, a first inflection point, and a second inflection point, where the first inflection point begins at the first wall and tapers to the trough, where the second inflection point begins at the second wall and tapers to the trough, and where the rear slope begins at the trough and tapers to the bottom surface.

In an embodiment, the pillow has an opening enabling fluid communication between the first cavity and an environment. In a further embodiment, a zipper may be disposed along the opening, where the zipper may be configured to reversibly seal the opening. The first cavity may be configured to accept a filler material. The second cavity may be sized to accept the neck support. In an embodiment, the divider may be composed of a mesh fabric. In another embodiment, the pillow may include a first rim and a second rim, where the first rim is rounded and surrounds a first perimeter of the first wall, and where the second rim is rounded and surrounds a second perimeter of the second wall. In an embodiment, the bottom surface may be flat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a human's center of gravity in two positions.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary use of a neck support pillow.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary use of a neck support by an individual in a supine position.

FIG. 4A-4B illustrate an embodiment of a neck support.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a pillow including a neck support.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a pillow having an internal bag and internal bag cavity.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a pillow having two chambers of varying densities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples. For the purposes of this disclosure, the invention of the presentation disclosure may be configured for use with a bed, a chair, or any other seating apparatus.

In an embodiment, the invention of the present disclosure is a pillow for use with adjustable seats (for example, adjustable beds), which offers a contouring natural support of the head, without the unnatural position caused by forward propping of the head. The pillow's supportive fill around the head may be responsive to rapid change of head position. As a non-limiting example, when the head changes position, the pillow adapts and allows the user to maintain a natural head position.

When raising or lowering the top portion of the adjustable seat (for example, an adjustable bed), a change of applied pressure to the back of the head may occur. In an embodiment, the pillow adapts accordingly to compensate and relieve the pressure instantly. At the same time, independently, the neck may maintain a level of support without unnatural applied pressure. Further, the cervical spine may maintain its natural position unaffected by the head's change in position.

In an embodiment, the pillow is configured to gently cradle one's neck and contour to one's head's position while keeping one's head aligned with one's spine to reduce neck and shoulder pain and soreness. In an embodiment, the pillow offers both responsive change to the level of head support and maintains support of the cervical spine at any incline or angled position from lying flat to sitting up (for example, from 90 to 180 degrees of tilt). The pillow may keep one's head and neck in a naturally supported position, which can prevent the problem from occurring initially and may provide a naturally comfortable position when sitting up in bed at any incline or angle.

The invention of the present disclosure may be utilized as a preventative measure in promoting positive neck and spine health. In essence, the pillow of the present disclosure may be configured to provide comfort to a user and to provide a surface that matches the natural curvature of the neck. However, in alternate embodiments, the pillow of the present disclosure may be configured to correct imperfect neck conditions.

FIG. 1 illustrates an individual's normal position and head forward position. As depicted in FIG. 1 , an individual's normal position maintains their head directly above the body's line of gravity. Thus, in the normal position, the individual's body (for example, shoulders, neck, and spine) may effectively support the weight of the individual's head. Conversely, in a head forward position, the head is not directly above the body's vertical line of support. Instead, in the head forward position, the head is only partially supported by the individual's body. Therefore, in the head forward position, the individual may experience neck strain, back pain, and other discomfort.

FIG. 2 illustrates an individual utilizing the pillow. As depicted in FIG. 2 , the neck support provides support to the neck (for example, by enabling an individual to rest their neck with its natural curvature) while also providing a comfortable, contouring, supporting, and/or soft surface for the back of the individual's head.

FIG. 3 illustrates an individual utilizing the neck support 400 when the individual is in a flat position. For example, an individual may utilize the neck support while in a supine position. An individual may have a lower neck portion and an upper neck portion. In such an embodiment, the front slope of the neck support 400 may interface with the lower neck portion and the rear slope of the neck support 400 may interface with the upper neck portion. However, in alternate embodiments an individual may be enabled to interface various portions of their neck, head, and back, with various components of the neck support 400. Referring to FIG. 3 , the neck support includes a flat stable base that provides stability while contouring above to provide correct support to neck curvature.

In an embodiment, the neck support 400 may be comprised of a gel-infused material. In such an embodiment, the gel-infused material (or other suitable material) may have a cooling nature (for example, remaining “cool to the touch”). As a non-limiting example, the neck support 400 may promote some degree of airflow, thus preventing hot air from building within the pillow. In such a non-limiting example, the neck support 400 material may decrease sweating by the user and thus increase comfort and likelihood of completion of a satisfactory sleep cycle.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a neck support 400. The neck support 400 may include a first wall 402, a second wall 404, a top surface 406, a bottom surface 408, a front surface 410, and a rear surface 412. In an embodiment, the neck support 400 is solid (for example, a continuous foam or gel-infused material). In an alternate embodiment, the neck support 400 includes a neck support cavity disposed between the first wall 402, the second wall 404, the top surface 406, the bottom surface 408, the front surface 410, and the rear surface 412. In such an alternate embodiment, the neck support cavity may be vacuous (for example, occupied by air or another gas). In a further alternate embodiment, the neck support cavity may house any other material or substance (for example, a foam or gel-infused material with a density or properties different than the material of the neck support 400). In another alternate embodiment, the neck support cavity may be pressurized (for example, an air bladder).

The neck support 400 may be configured to accept the natural curvature of an individual's neck. The front surface 410 may include a front slope 414. The front slope 414 may be a sigmoid or an s-curve. However, in an alternate embodiment the front slope 414 may be any kind of curve. The rear surface 412 may include a rear slope 416. In an embodiment, the rear slope 416 may also be any kind of curve. In an embodiment, the front slope 414 is more gradual than the rear slope 416. However, in an alternate embodiment the front slope 414 may be steeper than the rear slope 416. In an embodiment, the length of the front slope 414 and rear slope 416 combined is, or is approximately, the length of the natural neck curvature of an average person. For example, the length of the front slope 414 and rear slope 416 is the length of the outward surface of an individual's skin along their neck. However, in alternate embodiments, the length of the front slope 414 and the rear slope 416 may be less than the length of an average neck (for example, allowing a top portion of the neck to rest on the pillow filler and/or a bottom portion of the neck to remain slightly above the neck support 400 to promote airflow).

The first wall 402 may be surrounded by a first rim 418. The first rim 418 may be rounded and may connect the top surface 406, the bottom surface 408, the front surface 410, and the rear surface 412 to the first wall 402. The second wall 404 may be surrounded by a second rim 420. The second rim 420 may be rounded and may connect the top surface 406, the bottom surface 408, the front surface 410, and the rear surface 412 to the second wall 404. The first rim 418 and/or the second rim 420 may be disposed on the neck support 400 (for example, fastened by stitching). Conversely, the first rim 418 and second rim 420 may be formed from the same continuous material of any of the walls or surfaces 402-412.

In an embodiment, the top surface 406 may include a trough 422. The trough 422 may be formed by a change in curvature of the front surface 410, the top surface 406 and/or the rear surface 412. The trough 422 may further be bound by a first inflection point 424 and a second inflection point 426. In an embodiment, the trough 422 is roughly as wide as the neck of an average individual, such that the first inflection point 424 and the second inflection point 426 interface with the sides of the user's neck. However, the trough 422 may be wider than the neck of an average individual, such that the user may turn to either side with less resistance. The first inflection point 424 may be a slope in the top surface 406 and/or the rear surface 412, tapering from the first wall 402 to the trough 422. The second inflection point 424 may be a slope in the top surface 406 and/or the rear surface 412, tapering from the second wall 404 to the trough 422. In an embodiment, the first inflection point 424 and the second inflection point 426 have the same curvature and/or slope. However, in an alternate embodiment the first inflection point 424 and the second inflection point 426 may have differing curvatures and/or slopes (for example, the slope of the first inflection point 424 being steeper than the slope of the second inflection point 426).

In an embodiment, the bottom surface 408 may be configured to interface with the inside surface of the pillow case 502 and/or a seat (for example, a bed). For example, the bottom surface 408 may be flat or sufficiently flat, enabling the neck support 400 to stably rest upon a bed. In another embodiment, the outside of pillow case 502 and/or the bottom surface 408 includes a material or film configured to prevent the neck support 400 from sliding. In an embodiment, the bottom surface 408 is configured to interface with an adjustable bed (for example, a bed configured to incline). The bottom surface 408 may be sized such that the bottom surface 408 has a sufficiently large footprint to provide stability for the entire neck support 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a pillow 500. The pillow 500 may include a pillow case 502. The pillow case 502 may be a bag having an outer surface and an inner surface. The pillow case 502 may contain one or more cavities. For example, the pillow 500 may include a first cavity 504 and a second cavity 506. However, in alternate embodiments, the pillow 500 may include any number of cavities (for example, three cavities). In an embodiment, the pillow case 502 is removable. In an embodiment, the pillow 500 includes an additional cover (for example, a bamboo fabric cover), which encapsulates the pillow 500 and the pillow case 502. In such an embodiment, the additional cover includes a zipper and opening, enabling access to the pillow case 502.

In an embodiment, a divider 508 separates the first cavity 504 from the second cavity 506. In an embodiment, the first cavity 504 is configured to accept filler 512 (for example, foam or feathers). In an embodiment, the second cavity 506 is configured to accept the neck support 400. In an embodiment, the divider 508 may be sewn into one or more sides of the pillow case 502 (for example, creating a flat barrier between the first cavity 504 and the second cavity 506). In an embodiment, the divider 508 may be composed of a mesh material. However, in an alternate embodiment the divider 508 may be composed of any suitable fabric or material commonly used for bedding or clothing. In another alternate embodiment, the pillow case 502 may not include a divider 508. In such an alternate embodiment, the pillow case 502 may contain the neck support 400 and the filler 512 in a single cavity within the pillow case 502. For example, the pillow case 502 may include one cavity with the neck support 400 occupying the lower portion of the cavity and the filler 512 occupying the upper portion of the cavity. In this embodiment, if the pillow case 502 is sufficiently packed with the neck support 400 and filler 512, the limited volume of the pillow case 502 combined with the sufficient volume of the neck support 400 and filler 512 may maintain the neck support 400 and filler 512 in their preferred positions.

The pillow 500 may have a left side, a right side, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a rear side. In an embodiment, the pillow 500 may have a front side and a rear side, where the two sides are joined at each side's perimeter by a border. In an embodiment, the pillow 500 is rectangular or square. In another embodiment, the pillow 500 may be circular, oblong, cylindrical, triangular, or any other shape.

The pillow case 502 may be made from any material (for example, silk or polyester). In an embodiment, the pillow case 502 is made from bamboo fabric. In such an embodiment, the pillow case 502 may be washable (for example, machine washable). The border may be a stitching connecting the front side to the rear side. However, in an alternate embodiment, the front side and the rear side may be fastened via alternate means (for example, a zipper, adhesive, or buttons). In yet another alternate embodiment, the pillow case 502 is comprised of a singular continuous sheet of fabric (for example, not requiring stitching to join the front side and the rear side.

In an embodiment, the pillow 500 includes a zipper 510 disposed on the right side of the pillow 500. However, in other embodiments the zipper 510 may be disposed on any part of the pillow 500. In an embodiment, the zipper 510, when open, may allow for fluid communication with the environment and the first cavity 504. However, in another embodiment the zipper 510, when open, may allow for fluid communication between the environment and the second cavity 506. In a further embodiment, the zipper 510, when open, may allow for fluid communication between the first cavity 504 and the second cavity 506 and the environment. In alternate embodiment, the pillow 500 may include any number of zippers (for example, multiple zippers, each dedicated to a cavity). In an embodiment, another mechanism may allow for such fluid communication (for example, a series of buttons, magnets, etc.).

In an embodiment, the volume of filler 512 is pre-determined to provide support to the back of one's head (for example, the occipital and/or parietal regions). As a non-limiting example, the volume of filler 512 to selected such that the back of the head rests deep enough to allow the curvature of the neck to be accepted by the neck support 400 in a natural position. However, the removable filler 512 may enable a user to increase or decrease the distance that the back of the head sinks into the pillow 500 (for example, to accommodate a larger, smaller, heavier, or lighter head).

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment where the pillow 500 includes an internal bag 602. The internal bag 602 may be entirely detachable from the pillow 500 or may be partially sewn into the pillow 500. In an embodiment, the internal bag 602 includes an internal bag zipper 604. The internal bag zipper 604 may allow fluid communication between the environment and an internal bag cavity 606. The internal bag cavity 606 may be configured to accept filler 512. The internal bag 602, when holding filler 512, may be inserted into the first cavity 504. In such an embodiment, the internal bag 602, when holding filler 512, adds volume to the pillow 500.

In an embodiment, the internal bag 602 is partially removable from the pillow 500 via the zipper 510. In such an embodiment, an individual may increase or decrease the amount of filler 512 in the internal bag 602 and therefore increase or decrease the volume of the pillow 500.

The internal bag 602 may enter both the first cavity 504 and the second cavity 506. In another embodiment, the internal bag 602 is housed entirely in the first cavity 504. In an alternate embodiment, the pillow 500 includes more than one internal bag 602. As a non-limiting example, there may be one internal bag 602 in the first cavity 504 and another internal bag in the second cavity 506. In such a non-limiting example, each internal bag 602 may be sized to accept filler 512 and/or the neck support 400.

In an embodiment, the internal bag 602 is housed within the pillow case 502, where the pillow case 502 is removable. In an embodiment, the pillow case 502 may be comprised of a mesh material. The internal bag 602 may be comprised of a mesh material. In such an embodiment, the internal bag 602 may have a first internal bag cavity and a second internal bag cavity. In a further embodiment, the first internal bag cavity is configured to accept a filler material and the second internal bag cavity is configured to accept the neck support 400. An internal divider (for example, a mesh divider) may be provided within the internal bag 602 to separate the first internal bag cavity from the second internal bag cavity. In an embodiment, the second internal bag cavity has a smaller volume than the first internal bag cavity.

The internal bag zipper 604 may enable fluid communication between the first internal bag cavity and the environment. In an alternate embodiment, the internal bag zipper 604 enables fluid communication between the first internal bag cavity and the second internal bag cavity. In a further alternate embodiment, there exist a plurality of internal bag zippers 604 (for example, a first internal bag zipper associated with the first internal bag cavity and a second internal bag zipper associated with the second internal bag cavity).

Referring to FIG. 7 , in an embodiment, the neck support 400 has a first density 702 and the filler 512 (or the first cavity 504 while holding filler 512) has a second density 708. For the purposes of this embodiment, the neck support 400 has a first passive distance 704 and a first active distance 706 and the filler 512 has a second passive distance 710 and a second active distance 712. The first distances 704-706 may be measured from the bottom surface 408 to the top surface 406 of the neck support 400 or pillow 500. The second distances 710-712 may be measured from the base of the filler 512 (or the first cavity 504) to the top of the filler 512 (or the first cavity 504). Moreover, the passive distances 704/710 may be measured when the pillow 500 is not being utilized by a user and the active distances 706/712 may be measured when the pillow 500 is being utilized by a user. Thus, in an embodiment, the passive distances 704/710 may be greater than the active distances 706/712.

In an embodiment, the first passive distance 704 and the second passive distance 710 may be the same (for example, the neck support 400 and filler 512 having the same height). However, in another embodiment, the first passive distance 704 and the second passive distance 710 may differ. In an embodiment, the first active distance 706 is greater than the second active distance 712. In an embodiment, the differences between the passive and active distances are functions of the first and second densities. For example, a higher first density 702 may correlate to a smaller difference between the first passive distance 704 and the first active distance 706. Similarly, a lower second density 708 may correlate to a greater difference between the second passive distance 710 and second active distance 712.

In an embodiment, the first density 702 and second density 708 are configured such that the first active distance 706 is greater than the second active distance 712. In a further embodiment, the first density 702 and the second density 708 are configured such that the first active distance 706 and the second active distance 712 correlate to a human head in a natural position (for example, a natural upright position, a natural partially upright position, or a natural supine position). In an embodiment, the user has a neck to gravity line (“GL”) distance 714 and a head to GL distance 716 where the neck to GL distance 714 is the distance between the back of the neck and the line of gravity and the head to GL distance is the distance between the back of the head and the line of gravity. In such an embodiment, the line of gravity may be a line representing the vertical center of gravity of a human body (for example, akin to the line of gravity represented by FIG. 2 ).

For the purposes of this disclosure, the first passive distance 704, the first active distance 706, and neck to GL distance 714 may be measured along the same vertical axis (for example, referring to FIG. 7 , the apparent horizontal displacement of the first passive distance 704 and the first active displacement 706 is illustrated to more easily visualize each distance). For the purposes of this disclosure, the sentiment may apply to the second passive distance 710, the second active distance 712, and the head to GL distance 716 of FIG. 7 . In an embodiment, the difference between the first passive distance 704 and the first active distance 706 is equal to the distance that the top of the neck support 400 travels when pressed by a human neck. In sum, the first density 702, the second density 708, and/or the difference between the first density 702 and second density 708 may be configured to align the neck and head in a natural position by enabling the first active distance 706 and the second active distance 712 to align the user's neck and head with the line of gravity. In an embodiment, a density ratio exists between the first density 702 and the second density 708. The density ratio may be a measurement utilized to best fit the natural curvature of the neck to the pillow 500.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the embodiments outlined above, many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pillow comprising: a pillow case comprising: a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, a first cavity, a second cavity, and a divider, wherein the first cavity is bounded by at least the front side, the rear side, the top side, and the divider, and wherein the second cavity is bounded by at least the front side, the rear side, the bottom side, and the divider; and a neck support configured to accept the curvature of a user's neck.
 2. The pillow of claim 1 wherein the neck support comprises: a first wall, a second wall, a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the front surface has a front slope, and wherein the rear surface has a rear slope.
 3. The pillow of claim 2 wherein the neck support comprises: a trough, a first inflection point, and a second inflection point; wherein the first inflection point begins at the first wall and tapers to the trough, wherein the second inflection point begins at the second wall and tapers to the trough, and wherein the rear slope begins at the trough and tapers to the bottom surface.
 4. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising an opening enabling fluid communication between the first cavity and an environment.
 5. The pillow of claim 4 further comprising a zipper disposed along the opening, the zipper configured to reversibly seal the opening.
 6. The pillow of claim 1 wherein the first cavity is configured to accept a filler material.
 7. The pillow of claim 1 wherein the second cavity is sized to accept the neck support.
 8. The pillow of claim 1 wherein the divider is composed of a mesh fabric.
 9. The pillow of claim 3 further comprising a first rim and a second rim, wherein the first rim is rounded and surrounds a perimeter of the first wall, and wherein the second rim is rounded and surrounds a perimeter of the second wall.
 10. The pillow of claim 3 wherein the bottom surface is flat.
 11. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising a cover configured to removably encapsulate the pillow case. 